The Department of Probation confirmed its plan Wednesday to have people convicted of drink-driving work for at least 48 hours in a hospital mortuary to raise awareness about the potentially deadly results of driving under the influence.

The department plans to meet hospitals regarding the new probation measure, which was recently approved by the cabinet, said Pol Col Narach Sawetanant, director-general of the department.

The number of people convicted of drink-driving during Songkran is increasing, despite campaigns to bring it down, he said.

A total of 3,826 people were required to attend a probation programme after the 2014 Songkran festival, while during last year's festival the number of people convicted of drink-driving and required to attend probation programmes rose to 4,051, he said.

On the first day of the water-splashing festival Wednesday, security officials were encouraging revellers to play safely and also comply with the government's campaign to cut the use of water.

Police arrested 22,146 people and impounded 1,492 vehicles at road-safety checkpoints across the country on Thursday as part of the government’s anti-drinking campaign during the Songkran festival.

National Council for Peace and Order deputy spokeswoman Sirichan Ngathong said on Friday that police, solders and local officials cited 25,289 traffic violations involving motorcycles on Thursday. Also, 1,179 motorcycles were impounded and 12,823 people arrested for drink-driving that day, added Col Sirichan.

There were 41,797 violations involving public vehicles and personal cars on Thursday. Authorities seized 571 driving licenses, impounded 313 cars and public vehicles and arrested 9,323 people for drunk driving on that day, she said.

In all, more than 22,146 car and motorcycle drivers were arrested for driving under the influence.

Between April 9 and 14, a total of 3,057 vehicles, including 2,361 motorcycles and 696 cars, have been impounded. A total of 14,880 driving licenses were seized, 32,400 motorcyclists and 19,916 drivers of public vehicles and private cars arrested during this period, said the NCPO deputy spokeswoman.